Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that forms on the lining of the lungs or abdomen. The disease is mostly due to an exposure to asbestos. Although it is rare, mesothelioma is very aggressive and deadly. There are four types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lung’s protective lining in the chest cavity, and testicular mesothelioma forms on the lining of the testicles (West). Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdominal cavity and pericardial mesothelioma affects the cardiac cavity (West). There are only 2,500-3,000 diagnoses of mesothelioma in the United States every year (West). Mesothelioma cases are most common in New Jersey, Louisiana, and California (Asbestos.com). California is home to some of the largest natural asbestos
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Although the disease is becoming less frequent, it still has a major impact on the lives of people affected by it.
Mesothelioma can form in multiple places in the human body. Pleural mesothelioma develops on the lining of the lungs called the pleura (Asbestos.com). Exposure to asbestos causes fluid to build up between the two layers of the pleura (Asbestos.com). This build up of fluid is called pleural effusion (Asbestos.com). Too much fluid in the pleura can make it difficult to breathe (Asbestos.com). The pleura protects and supports the lungs. It helps the lungs move smoothly as people breathe (Asbestos.com). When pleural effusion occurs, it causes the lungs to work poorly. Peritoneum mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, which is a protective membrane that surrounds the abdomen (Asbestos.com). One layer of the peritoneum protects and covers the abdominal cavity, and the other layers protect the stomach, liver and other organs of the abdomen (Asbestos.com). The two layers work together to support and protect the abdominal cavity and the organs within it (Asbestos.com). When mesothelioma forms on the peritoneum, it weakens the layers and loses protection for the organs of the abdomen. Pericardial
Although the disease is becoming less frequent, it still has a major impact on the lives of people affected by it.
Mesothelioma can form in multiple places in the human body. Pleural mesothelioma develops on the lining of the lungs called the pleura (Asbestos.com). Exposure to asbestos causes fluid to build up between the two layers of the pleura (Asbestos.com). This build up of fluid is called pleural effusion (Asbestos.com). Too much fluid in the pleura can make it difficult to breathe (Asbestos.com). The pleura protects and supports the lungs. It helps the lungs move smoothly as people breathe (Asbestos.com). When pleural effusion occurs, it causes the lungs to work poorly. Peritoneum mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, which is a protective membrane that surrounds the abdomen (Asbestos.com). One layer of the peritoneum protects and covers the abdominal cavity, and the other layers protect the stomach, liver and other organs of the abdomen (Asbestos.com). The two layers work together to support and protect the abdominal cavity and the organs within it (Asbestos.com). When mesothelioma forms on the peritoneum, it weakens the layers and loses protection for the organs of the abdomen. Pericardial